The Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4) and the Baltimore Ravens (9-5) will squabble up for the second time this season, but this time the division title is on the line. Win and the Steelers are AFC North champions and will host a home game in the playoffs. Lose and the Ravens are still alive for the division crown. I spoke with Kyle Phoenix of Baltimore Beatdown to preview the matchup.

You can read my questions and his answers below:

When you spoke with our site in Week 11, you mentioned you wanted to see the Ravens “prove it” against the Steelers. The Ravens seem to play like a different team against Pittsburgh, what’s your take on that?

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It’s unrecognizable who they become against the Steelers. Which, I believe is a credit to their opponent. Often, the Steelers harass offenses and knock them off-scheme or from their usual strengths. The combination of Steelers’ coaching and their players are a testament to their record and performance. I know the jokes of Tomlin magic and the like, but I see it more as teams get rocked with a punch and their focus shifts. Like Mike Tyson said, “everybody has a plan until they get punched for the first time.”

Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time the Ravens have been punched by the Steelers first. And each time, they don’t settle in and get back into the pocket. They step back and lose composure, which spawns in various forms. Lack of discipline, playcalling, performance, all of it. It’s bizarre.

This week’s game has the division title on the line. In terms of stakes and hype before the game, where would Ravens fans rank this game in rivalry history should they win?

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Ravens fans are certainly excited, but anxious. The Steelers have bested Baltimore so frequently of late that it’s hard to feel confident in this matchup. I’m unsure if this would be some big significant inflection point. It certainly could be. Exorcising their demons, staving off the Steelers from celebrating an AFC North division title at M&T Bank Stadium would be painful. So, fans are amped for this one. But, the nostalgia for the rivalry is hard to topple. Both teams boasted so many legends of the game. And while these units have new-age excitement, it’s hard to ever get back the feel and excitement when compared to the memories.

Lamar Jackson has seemingly fallen behind Josh Allen in the MVP race, but is also having arguably his best season ever, just as a passer. Make your case for a third MVP for Mr. Jackson.

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Statistically: Lamar Jackson has a higher completion percentage, quarterback rating, more pass yards, yards per attempt, more rush yards, touchdowns and fewer interceptions. This season, he has the fourth-best single-season quarterback rating in history, behind only Aaron Rodgers (2011, 2020) and Peyton Manning (2004).

The Ravens haven’t solely beat up on poor teams. The Bills have a +6 point differential against teams above .500. The Ravens have a +66. Against teams under .500, the Bills have a +129 point differential. They’re clobbering bad teams.

And if we’re doing the head-to-head discussion, the Ravens blew out the Bills 35-10 in Week 4, where Jackson threw for 56 yards and two touchdowns (and lost a fumble) while Allen threw for 180 yards and lost a fumble.

The embattled Ravens secondary has allowed an average of 165 passing yards per game since their last meeting with the Steelers. That figure would be tops in the league this season. Have the Ravens figured something out or is that a reflection of their recent opponents?

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I believe it has more to do with their defensive performance than their opponents, but to say it’s solely their own doing wouldn’t be fair. The Ravens solved many of their issues by benching Marcus Williams in favor of Ar’Darius Washington. This, along with keeping safety Kyle Hamilton has eliminated the explosive plays they routinely allowed with Williams, and the now-released Eddie Jackson on the back end.

I think another reason to credit their adjustment is first-year Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr. There’s a growing and learning curve being a first-time coordinator and play caller. We saw it with Mike Macdonald and he eventually solved his errors. It just took longer for Orr, and the fall-off of Williams was entirely unexpected.

The Ravens are at home and are currently 6.5-point favorites on FanDuel, despite losing the first matchup with the Steelers. It’s hard to beat any team twice in one year, especially with the voodoo that is the AFC North, but do you find that line to be accurate? Or do you have a different prediction?

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I don’t think any matchup between the Ravens and Steelers should have a line larger than 4 points. Over their last nine contests, the game has been decided by fewer than four points. In that time, the average differential has been 3.8 points. Twice in the past nine games has a team won by seven, both going to the Steelers.

Do I think the Ravens should be favored? A bit, I’d say. I’d argue they have a superior team. But who they are when they face the Steelers is such a transformation that it’s hard to believe in them.

My lone confidence in this one has to do with this being the first time Lamar Jackson has been the starting quarterback for the Ravens at home and a full crowd will be in attendance. He hasn’t played them at home in four years. Twice because it was Week 18 and the Ravens locked up the division, and two other times he was injured. The last time he played them at home was 2020, when the stadium had just 2,500 fans due to COVID restrictions. So, maybe the crowd can get involved. They sure do when the Ravens are in Pittsburgh.